UPDATE: JSO is still investigating a 7-year-old boy found dead in an apartment Saturday.

"The cause of death is pending. No foul play is suspected," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, Melissa Bujeda said. She also said the investigation is ongoing.

Also Tuesday, Florida Department of Children and Families spokesperson, John Harrell, tells First Coast News:

"DCF is investigating. We are contacted when there are concerns of possible neglect or abuse. I want to emphasize that this is an investigation. An investigation does not mean an assumption of guilt. We will be talking with family members and relatives to see if there was any possible abuse. We'll be working closely with law enforcement."

Neighbors said they were shocked and saddened by the news of the 7-year old's death.

"It's sad and shocking to walk out the door and be greeted by police and detectives and rescue and fire trucks. You're like what's going on?" said neighbor, Tia Lia. She is the mother of six children, including a 7-year-old. "I really hope that the parents had nothing to do with it. It can really be a freak accident. It's mysterious, but I just pray the parent's didn't harm the child."

She said her mind turns to the family.

"It's a sad situation, but I send my prayers up, keep a close eye on my kids and just continue to live," she said.

Neighbors also heard speculation about how the child may have passed away.

"I heard that he was playing with some type of toy snake and he was on a pale and may have jumped because he likes to play Superman. A lady just left and told me she hard it was stuck around his neck and the parents tried to take it off," Lia said.

"I heard from another person that the bar from the closet or something fell on him, but that doesn't make any sense," neighbor Matia Rodgers said.

Original Post

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Homicide detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are investigating the death of a seven-year-old boy.

According to a statement released by the department, patrol officers responded to 1273 N. Broad St. at approximately 7:45 p.m. Saturday to assist paramedics.

Once on scene, they discovered the child dead inside the bedroom of his apartment.

The homicide unit was then called because the death of a seven-year-old is an unnatural event, according to the statement.

The medical examiner will now be charged with determining his manner of death. The statement also said the cause of the boy's death will be determined at the conclusion of the investigation.

According the Florida Times-Union, the news partner of First Coast News, the child's mother reported the incident to officials and is cooperating.